The Politics Thread

[MooseBreath]

I think the exodus was because it was gone 4pm and heaven forbid a labour politician should work all the way until 5pm

[Guest]

 

The whole Labour front bench sneak out of the defence debate. What does this say?

 

I don't think it was a defence debate either. It was about Trident wasn't it? A vote that the SNP were sure to lose and it didn't matter whether they won anyway.

[Guest MattP]

I don't think it was a defence debate either. It was about Trident wasn't it? A vote that the SNP were sure to lose and it didn't matter whether they won anyway.

 

Public perception matters a lot, the whole of the Tory frontbench stayed until the end, Jeremy Corbyn was left sat on his own by 5pm. Even the MP's who support Jeremy Corbyn are now taking precautions to make sure they distance themselves from him on issues like defence.

[Guest MattP]

Doing an Ozleicester here but congratulations to the new centre right government for winning office in Argentina, no mean feat in South America.

 

The country is textbook case of how populist, statist, free-spending policies end up harming the living standards of the poorest and most vulnerable. With years of Kirchner rule now concluded, and the dead end of left-wing rule also in Venezuela and Ecuador, the continent’s political bearings may be shifting in a more responsible and market-friendly direction.

 

As we approach our 19th consecutive year of budget deficits in the UK the anti-austerity campaigners would do well to take heed.

[Guest]

Doing an Ozleicester here but congratulations to the new centre right government for winning office in Argentina, no mean feat in South America.

 

The country is textbook case of how populist, statist, free-spending policies end up harming the living standards of the poorest and most vulnerable. With years of Kirchner rule now concluded, and the dead end of left-wing rule also in Venezuela and Ecuador, the continent’s political bearings may be shifting in a more responsible and market-friendly direction.

 

As we approach our 19th consecutive year of budget deficits in the UK the anti-austerity campaigners would do well to take heed.

 

no congratulations to the Lefties forming a govt. in Portugal?

[Webbo]

no congratulations to the Lefties forming a govt. in Portugal?

I think commiserations are more appropriate.

[leicsmac]

I think commiserations are more appropriate.

 

I might say the same about the new Argentinian government.

 

All about the point of view.

[Guest MattP]

no congratulations to the Lefties forming a govt. in Portugal?

 

Why?

 

Although hopefully they'll be so incompetent it will end the chance of Podemos ruining Spain.

 

I might say the same about the new Argentinian government.

 

All about the point of view.

 

You could, but it would be a bit strange, when a left wing government fails to get elected in South America (Chile aside) they have clearly seriously cocked things up. It would be like me having sympathy for a right wing party being dumped by the people of Texas.

 

PMQ's a bit strange today, Corbyn uses his questions to ask about solar panels after the week we have currently had, left to the SNP to use their two questions to ask about Syria and the PM's plan for it.

[Guest]

Why?

 

Although hopefully they'll be so incompetent it will end the chance of Podemos ruining Spain.

 

 

You could, but it would be a bit strange, when a left wing government fails to get elected in South America (Chile aside) they have clearly seriously cocked things up. It would be like me having sympathy for a right wing party being dumped by the people of Texas.

 

PMQ's a bit strange today, Corbyn uses his questions to ask about solar panels after the week we have currently had, left to the SNP to use their two questions to ask about Syria and the PM's plan for it.

 

Surely his views on syria are clear and hopefully so too are the PM's. Solar panels seems a reasonably topical suggestion given the news of the govt. u-turn on green energy policy last week and COP 21 coming up.

[Guest MattP]

Yes absolutely, solar panels are right at the forefront of everyone's mind at the minute.

[Guest MattP]

Wow, total U-Turn from Osborne, not even bothering to revisit the tax credits cuts, 12billion still to come out of welfare though, universal credit introduction sees most of the 12billion and some haltage to pension credits seem to make up the rest of it.

[MooseBreath]

Nice to see some commitment to government funded house building but we'll have to wait and see how much of that money actually gets spent.

I'm surprised by the u-turn on tax credits. Those cuts will presumably come from somewhere else, perhaps more from 'vulnerable' people. It'll be interesting to see if the comfortable middle earners protest as loudly against cuts hitting the genuinely disadvantaged as they did about cuts affecting themselves. My suspicion would be no, though most of them probably won't even register the hypocrisy.

[Guest MattP]

Nice to see some commitment to government funded house building but we'll have to wait and see how much of that money actually gets spent.

I'm surprised by the u-turn on tax credits. Those cuts will presumably come from somewhere else, perhaps more from 'vulnerable' people. It'll be interesting to see if the comfortable middle earners protest as loudly against cuts hitting the genuinely disadvantaged as they did about cuts affecting themselves. My suspicion would be no, though most of them probably won't even register the hypocrisy.

 

As I said at the time to the people protesting against it it's still coming out of welfare and it will end up hitting the even poorer, bizarre really some families on 40k will still be getting tax credits in times of supposed austerity. Better for the Tories though in terms of the public and elections, a lot of people who were getting tax credits were voting Conservative, those on university credit etc certainly won't be in any sort of numbers.

 

Edit: This makes even more sense now, according to Andrew Neil the Universal credit changes have already been passed so the HoL can't get involved on this.

[Jon the Hat]

Its not coming from other cuts, the OBR have forecast a stronger economy and George is spending the tax receipts

 

All in good news as long at the economy does indeed recover.  This will help.  Glad for my sister.

[Guest MattP]

"John, they think we are too left wing"

"I know Jez, I'll quote Mao during my response to the Autumn statement, that'll show em"

[Guest]

Yes absolutely, solar panels are right at the forefront of everyone's mind at the minute.

 

They should be. think to the future young man.

[cityfanlee23]

Nice to see some commitment to government funded house building but we'll have to wait and see how much of that money actually gets spent.

I'm surprised by the u-turn on tax credits. Those cuts will presumably come from somewhere else, perhaps more from 'vulnerable' people. It'll be interesting to see if the comfortable middle earners protest as loudly against cuts hitting the genuinely disadvantaged as they did about cuts affecting themselves. My suspicion would be no, though most of them probably won't even register the hypocrisy.

 

Probably not.... Too many very selfish people in this country who are far too short sighted to see the damage, sincerely hope the alternative is less harmful to those who desperately need help.

 

Still blatantly obvious we are cutting the hedge from the bottom though.

 

Its not coming from other cuts, the OBR have forecast a stronger economy and George is spending the tax receipts

 

All in good news as long at the economy does indeed recover.  This will help.  Glad for my sister.

 

All good and well, but making promises before we have had the full recovery is dangerous not only for the people, but for the governments credibility, which increases the chances of Labour rule.

 

Reminds me almost of the Loans the Leeds united board took out on the basis they would qualify for the champions league the next season.. which they failed and the rest is history.

 

As I said at the time to the people protesting against it it's still coming out of welfare and it will end up hitting the even poorer, bizarre really some families on 40k will still be getting tax credits in times of supposed austerity. Better for the Tories though in terms of the public and elections, a lot of people who were getting tax credits were voting Conservative, those on university credit etc certainly won't be in any sort of numbers.

 

Edit: This makes even more sense now, according to Andrew Neil the Universal credit changes have already been passed so the HoL can't get involved on this.

 

I need to look into this universal credit in more detail, speaks huge volumes when even the loathed IDS is talking about his future and potentially quitting should it come into place and other welfare be raided. (Which it now will) 

[cityfanlee23]

P.s The SNP need shooting. 

 

Absolutely spineless bunch of vermin, Talking about scottish prosperity yet do everything to slow it down, and refuse to take control of the powers given to them.

George Osbourne just handed their arses back to them.

[EnderbyFox]

Who told McDonnell that quoting Chairman Mao in Parliament was a good idea?

[Guest MattP]

No idea, you know how it is, if in doubt quote the guy who killed 40 billion people, insight into the mindset though.

I don't think people are even surprised anymore, if you watch it on playback have a look at Chris Bryant's reaction in the background

Million

[Guest MattP]

It's a prime example of why you shouldn't surround yourself with people who think exactly like you.

A room of Milne, McDonnell, Corbyn and Fisher probably don't think there is anything wrong with quoting Mao in parliament.

Umanna laying into McDonnell on Sky

[SMX11]

What a pathetic state we are in. A Conservative party that isn't fiscally conservative and a Labour party run by mad men.

[Guest]

As I said at the time to the people protesting against it it's still coming out of welfare and it will end up hitting the even poorer, bizarre really some families on 40k will still be getting tax credits in times of supposed austerity. Better for the Tories though in terms of the public and elections, a lot of people who were getting tax credits were voting Conservative, those on university credit etc certainly won't be in any sort of numbers.

 

Edit: This makes even more sense now, according to Andrew Neil the Universal credit changes have already been passed so the HoL can't get involved on this.

 

Let's face it, it was just a way to attack the HoL. No intention of doing it.

 

Pretty sure you argued that it was part of their policy and the HoL shouldn't be allowed to say no. Clearly it wasn't.

[Alf Bentley]

Interesting 3-minute video of Larry Elliott (Economics) and Jonathan Freedland (Politics) discussing the economics and politics of Osborne's spending review:

 

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2015/nov/25/three-minute-video-analysis-george-osbornes-autumn-statement-is-a-big-gamble

 

Massive gamble on OBR economic forecasts? Clever political manoeuvring (for party and/or personal ambitions)? Massive U-turn? Wise Keynesian stimulus given risky international economy? 

Could be all of the above.....

[Webbo]

All long term spending plans are based on predictions so nothing different there but it is a bit of a gamble.

 

I think there's a decent chance that there'll be a mild recession in the next 5 years which could throw all of his figures out. If unemployment stays low and people feel better off I don't think many will care about hitting a surplus though.